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Nova (Frankie Raye)

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For other comics characters named Nova, see Nova (comics).
Frankie Raye
Nova
Nova, in The New Avengers #40 (June 2008). Art by Jim Cheung.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceFantastic Four #164
(November 1975)
Created byRoy Thomas (writer)
George Pérez (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoFrankie Raye
SpeciesHuman mutate
Team affiliationsHeralds of Galactus
Fantastic Four
Supporting character ofFantastic Four
Silver Surfer
Abilities

Nova (Frankie Raye) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist George Pérez, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #164 (November 1975).

Frankie Raye was portrayed by Beau Garrett in the 2007 film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Publication history

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The character first appeared as Frankie Raye in Fantastic Four #164 (November 1975) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist George Pérez. After several years as a minor supporting character, she became a herald of Galactus and assumed the name "Nova" in Fantastic Four #244 (July 1982) by John Byrne. The character was killed in Silver Surfer #75 (December 1992). Writer Kathryn Immonen and artist Tonči Zonjić revived Frankie Raye in the Heralds limited series in 2010.[1][2]

Fictional character biography

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While working for the United Nations as an interpreter, Frankie Raye meets Johnny Storm[3] and becomes his girlfriend, despite her fear of fire.[4][5] The couple soon breaks up,[6] despite an attempt at reconciliation by Johnny.[7] A brief encounter by the two some time later results in an unpleasant reaction by Frankie.[8] They eventually begin to see each other again.[9] Her fear is eventually explained to be the result of a mental block induced by her stepfather, Phineas Horton, after she was accidentally doused with the chemicals which caused the android original Human Torch (his creation) to burst into flame, in an attempt to prevent her from using the Torch-like powers granted to her by the accident.[10][11]

After breaking through the block, she regains her full memory and discovers her previously repressed superhuman powers.[11] She aids the Fantastic Four for a short time, until she volunteers to become the new herald of Galactus.[12] She takes the name "Nova". Having previously demonstrated what the Fantastic Four deemed an alarming willingness to kill opponents, she claims to have no compunction about leading him to sentient populated planets and proves that when she leads the Devourer of Worlds to the Skrull home-world to consume it.[13] Nova later attends the trial of Reed Richards by the Shi'ar Empire.[14] When Richard Rider resumes his Nova identity alongside the New Warriors, he is briefly called "Kid Nova" to distinguish him from Raye.

Frankie Raye (as the Human Torch) joins the Fantastic Four in battle. Cover of Fantastic Four #239 (Feb. 1982). Art by John Byrne

Nova is later rescued from Skrull imprisonment by the Silver Surfer, whom she meets for the first time.[15] She then battles the Elders of the Universe.[16] Galactus sends her to locate one of them, the Contemplator, and she is joined in this quest by the Silver Surfer.[17] They journey to the Coalsack Nebula where they are captured by Captain Reptyl.[18] After battling Captain Reptyl,[19] Nova battles Ronan the Accuser.[20] This is followed by a clash with a Skrull duplicate of the Silver Surfer and a romantic flirtation with the real Silver Surfer.[21] Nova and Galactus battle the In-Betweener.[22][23] Nova then turns her romantic interests toward Firelord.[24]

Nova later encounters an injured Elan. She battles the second Star-Stalker, and then meets the Power Pack. A stimulator device temporarily renders her evil, until she is subdued by Reed and Franklin Richards, and Power Pack.[25]

Frankie Raye is ultimately killed by the alien Morg, who replaced her as Galactus' herald.[26][27] The demon Mephisto later makes it appear that she returned from the dead in a failed bid to steal the soul of the Silver Surfer.[28]

In the weekly mini-series Heralds, a character resembling Frankie Raye appears. Her name is Frances Hyatt, and she is a waitress at Stu's Diner in Nevada. One night, while she is working, an explosion coming from space destroys a S.W.O.R.D. facility, and the sky on Earth is filled by a flash that seems to enter Frances. When patrons come to her assistance, she lashes out, stabbing a customer. She runs out and begins driving, only to crash and meets a man whom she calls 'father'. This man is Professor Horton, long dead, who turns out to be an escaped clone from the S.W.O.R.D. facility. Upon hearing him call her 'Frakie', Frances burst into flames causing an explosion which kills the clone.[29]

Frances awakes in a ditch, trying to muster the strength to get up. She is found by the female superheroes Emma Frost, Hellcat, Monica Rambeau, She-Hulk and Valkyrie who are trying to get to the bottom of the mystery. Frances goes with them to the Baxter Building, home of the Fantastic Four, in the hopes of obtaining answers. They are amazed by Frances' resemblance to Frankie Raye. Though Nova is dead, S.W.O.R.D. had a similar entity captured. When the clones escaped the facility in Nevada, so did the Nova entity and it bonds with Johnny Storm while looking for Frankie.[30]

The Nova entity escapes, Johnny but when it is unable to take Frances, it flees, setting a trap at Frankie Raye's former apartment.[31] After relaying the story of the Silver Surfer, who at some point in time, approached a 14 year old Frances and placed a portion of Frankie Raye's essence into her hoping to later reunite it with the Nova essence, Frances goes to Frankie's apartment to attempt to awaken more of Frankie's memories. There, the Nova entity kidnaps Valeria Richards, daughter of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, instead. Frances accompanies the team into space where they discover Valeria and the Nova entity in the heart of a star. The Nova entity cocooned Valeria in the suit Professor Horton had made for Frankie Raye to suppress her powers, animated by the Power Cosmic becoming the "Nova entity" itself.[32]

Emma Frost senses that both Valeria and the Nova entities minds are active in this cocoon. The Invisible Woman and She-Hulk manage to pull Valeria from the living suit while Frances looks on in horror. When the suit attempts to bond with the Invisible Woman, it speaks to Frances. It tells her to save them, to be brave. Frances jumps in the way to become bonded with the being, just as the Silver Surfer told her would happen. While bonding with the suit, she remembers the words of Hellcat and Silver Surfer, claiming to not be as strong as they say she is. After becoming 'Supernova', she leaves the team, returning to Earth. Although Frances is unchanged on the inside, she now is confused and possesses great power. She returns to the diner where she works, not knowing what she is looking for. Following a conversation with the new waitress, Frances flies away trying to figure out what she wants with her new life.[33]

Frances as Nova is later recruited by the Fearless Defenders to fight the Doom Maidens.[34]

Thor later summons Nova and other former Heralds to Asgard after Galactus crash-lands there following his confrontation with the Black Winter.[35]

Powers and abilities

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Nova originally gained her superhuman powers after being mutated by exposure to unknown chemicals. Originally, she had powers similar to that of the Human Torch: flame generation, projection, and flight.

Nova later gains vastly increased powers after Galactus imbues her with the Power Cosmic. She possesses superhuman physical abilities as well as the ability to project energy from across the electromagnetic spectrum and fly at faster-than-light speeds.[36]

Reception

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  • In 2016, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Frankie Raye / Nova 13th in their "Straight Fire: The Hottest Heroes in Comics" list.[37]
  • In 2018, CBR ranked Frankie Raye / Nova 9th in their "Top 20 Heralds Of Galactus, Ranked By Power" list.[38]

Other versions

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An alternate universe version of Hercules encounters Nova in the 24th century in the first Hercules limited series by writer/artist Bob Layton.[39]

Writer-penciler John Byrne and inker Terry Austin produced a serialized story titled "The Last Galactus Story", which appeared in the anthology comics-magazine Epic Illustrated #26-34 (October 1984 - February 1986),[40] and detailed an all-new adventure for the character. The magazine published the first nine serialized installments of what was to be a 10-part tale. Each ran six pages, with the exception of part eight, which ran 12 pages. The magazine was cancelled in February 1986, leaving the last chapter unpublished and the story unfinished.[41] According to Byrne, the story would have concluded with a dying Galactus releasing his power, causing a new Big Bang and transforming Nova into his successor.[42]

During the Fantastic Four's fight with Abraxas, they briefly ally with an alternate version of Nova. It is revealed at the conclusion that she is actually allied with Abraxas after her Galactus destroyed Earth even after accepting her as his herald. Nova transferred her anger for her failure to the Fantastic Four of the Earth-616 universe in the absence of her own. Abraxas subsequently draws in an army of Novas who experienced similar traumas to keep the Fantastic Four occupied while he acquires the Ultimate Nullifier. The Fantastic Four summon the assistance of an army of alternate Avengers to keep the Novas occupied.[43]

In other media

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Television

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Film

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Frankie Raye appears in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Beau Garrett.[47] This version is a U.S. Army captain.

Merchandise

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References

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  1. ^ Dietsch, TJ (March 5, 2010). "Heralds: Woman Power". Marvel Comics.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  2. ^ Richards, Dave (March 8, 2010). "Immonen Summons Her Heralds". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 26, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  3. ^ Thomas, Roy (w), Pérez, George (p), Sinnott, Joe (i). "The Crusader Syndrome!" Fantastic Four, no. 164 (November 1975).
  4. ^ Nair, Rupesh (September 21, 2023). "Fantastic Four Fixes a Glaring Problem With the MCU". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  5. ^ Thomas, Roy (w), Buckler, Rich; Pérez, George (p), Sinnott, Joe (i). "Death is a Golden Gorilla!" Fantastic Four, no. 171 (June 1976).
  6. ^ Thomas, Roy (w), Wilson, Ron (p), Sinnott, Joe (i). "Side by Side with... Annihilus?" Fantastic Four, no. 181 (April 1977).
  7. ^ Wein, Len (w), Pérez, George (p), Sinnott, Joe (i). "Four No More!" Fantastic Four, no. 191 (February 1978).
  8. ^ Wolfman, Marv (w), Pollard, Keith (p), Sinnott, Joe (i). "The Andromeda Attack!" Fantastic Four, no. 204 (March 1979).
  9. ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Byrne, John (i). "Back to the Basics!" Fantastic Four, no. 232 (July 1981).
  10. ^ Pellme, Arantxa (February 21, 2024). "Which Fantastic Four Comics Should Joseph Quinn Read For His Role As Human Torch?". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Byrne, John (i). "The Lady Is for Burning!" Fantastic Four, no. 238 (January 1982).
  12. ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Byrne, John (i). "Beginnings and Endings" Fantastic Four, no. 244 (July 1982).
  13. ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Byrne, John (i). "Fragments" Fantastic Four, no. 257 (August 1983).
  14. ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Byrne, John (i). "The Trial of Reed Richards" Fantastic Four, no. 262 (January 1984).
  15. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Rogers, Marshall (p), Rubinstein, Joe (i). "— Free--" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 1 (July 1987).
  16. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Rogers, Marshall (p), Rubinstein, Joe (i). "Doomsday" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 9 (March 1988).
  17. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Rogers, Marshall (p), Rubinstein, Joe (i). "Space Is... Eternity!" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 10 (April 1988).
  18. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Staton, Joe (p), Rubinstein, Joe (i). "Nova" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 11 (May 1988).
  19. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Rogers, Marshall (p), Rubinstein, Joe (i). "Sick!" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 12 (June 1988).
  20. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Staton, Joe (p), Cockrum, Dave (i). "Masques!" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 13 (July 1988).
  21. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Staton, Joe (p), Rubinstein, Joe; Marzan Jr., José (i). "Silver Mirrors!" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 14 (August 1988).
  22. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Lim, Ron (p), Rubinstein, Joe (i). "Resurrection" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 17 (November 1988).
  23. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Lim, Ron (p), Rubinstein, Joe (i). "Heavyweights" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 18 (December 1988).
  24. ^ Englehart, Steve (w), Lim, Ron (p), Williams, Keith (i). "Playing With Matches" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 19 (January 1989).
  25. ^ Higgins, Michael; Kruchkow, Seth (w), Morgan, Tom (p), Mushynsky, Andy (i). "Childhood's End" Power Pack, no. 56 (June 1990).
    Higgins, Michael (w), Morgan, Tom (p), Morgan, Tom; Mushynsky, Andy (i). "Fire" Power Pack, no. 57 (July 1990).
    Higgins, Michael (w), Morgan, Tom (p), Morgan, Tom (i). "Star Struck" Power Pack, no. 58 (September 1990).
  26. ^ Lord-Moncrief, Devon (August 31, 2021). "Galactus' Forgotten Herald Is More Dangerous Than Silver Surfer". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  27. ^ Marz, Ron (w), Lim, Ron (p), Christopher, Tom (i). Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 75 (December 1992).
  28. ^ Marz, Ron (w), Hall, Jim (p), McKenna, Mark (i). Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 96 (September 1994).
    Marz, Ron (w), Hall, Jim (p), Christopher, Tom (i). "Temptation: Greed" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 97 (October 1994).
    Marz, Ron (w), Hall, Jim (p), Christopher, Tom (i). "Temptation: Power" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 98 (November 1994).
    Marz, Ron (w), Hall, Jim (p), Almond, Bob (i). "Temptation: Lust" Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 99 (December 1994).
    Marz, Ron (w), Phillips, Joe; Grindberg, Tom (p), Christopher, Tom; Hudson, Don; Almond, Bob (i). Silver Surfer, vol. 3, no. 100 (January 1995).
  29. ^ Immonen, Kathryn (w), Zonjić, Tonči (p), Zonjić, Tonči (i). "Heaven or Las Vegas" Heralds, no. 1 (August 2010).
  30. ^ Immonen, Kathryn (w), Zonjić, Tonči (p), Harren, James (i). "Dreams Never End" Heralds, no. 2 (August 2010).
  31. ^ Heralds #3
  32. ^ Heralds #4
  33. ^ Heralds #5
  34. ^ Bunn, Cullen (w), Sliney, Will (p), Sliney, Will (i). The Fearless Defenders, no. 12 (February 2014).
  35. ^ Thor vol. 6 #1
  36. ^ Claremont, Chris (w), Wozniak, Chris (p), Milgrom, Al (i). "Guess Who's Coming for Phoenix?" Excalibur, no. 25 (Early August 1990).
  37. ^ C. B. R. Staff (December 26, 2016). "Straight Fire: The Hottest Heroes in Comics". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  38. ^ Garcia, Mayra (November 17, 2018). "Top 20 Heralds Of Galactus, Ranked By Power". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  39. ^ Layton, Bob (w), Layton, Bob; de la Rosa, Sam (p), Layton, Bob; de la Rosa, Sam (i). "— Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Hercules, no. 4 (December 1982).
  40. ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Austin, Terry (i). "The Shattered Stars (Chapter One)" Epic Illustrated, no. 26 (October 1984).
    Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Austin, Terry (i). "The Shadows in the Stone (Chapter Two)" Epic Illustrated, no. 27 (December 1984).
    Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Austin, Terry (i). "Return of the Exile (Chapter Three)" Epic Illustrated, no. 28 (February 1985).
    Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Austin, Terry (i). "The Rhyming Robot (Chapter Four)" Epic Illustrated, no. 29 (April 1985).
    Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Austin, Terry (i). "The End of the Earth (Chapter Five)" Epic Illustrated, no. 30 (June 1985).
    Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Austin, Terry (i). "The Hidden Stars (Chapter Six)" Epic Illustrated, no. 31 (August 1985).
    Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Austin, Terry (i). "Tunnel in the Sky (Chapter Seven)" Epic Illustrated, no. 32 (October 1985).
    Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Wiacek, Bob (i). "The Dweller in Darkness (Chapter Eight)" Epic Illustrated, no. 33 (December 1985).
    Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Austin, Terry (i). "The Face of the Foe (Chapter Nine)" Epic Illustrated, no. 34 (February 1986).
  41. ^ Briscoe, Aaron (June 28, 2022). "John Byrne Set Out To Tell Galactus's Final Story - But Never Finished". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  42. ^ Byrne, John (February 15, 2005). "Frequently Asked Questions - Questions about Aborted Storylines". ByrneRobotics.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  43. ^ Pacheco, Carlos; Marín, Rafael; Loeb, Jeph (w), Pacheco, Carlos (p), Merino, Jesus (i). "Dark Victory" Fantastic Four, vol. 3, no. 49 (January 2002).
  44. ^ Strnad, Jan (writer); Trueblood, Richard (director) (November 18, 1995). "When Calls Galactus". Fantastic Four. Season 2. Episode 21. Fox Kids.
  45. ^ Brody, Larry and Gregory, Michael Steven (writers) (April 11, 1998). "Antibody". Silver Surfer. Season 1. Episode 8. Fox Kids.
  46. ^ Forward, Bob; Kyle, Craig; and Yost, Christopher (writers); Ruiz, Luis (director) (October 28, 2006). "Zoned Out". Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes. Season 1. Episode 6. Cartoon Network.
  47. ^ "Beau Garrett on Playing Frankie Raye in Fantastic Four 2". MovieWeb. November 20, 2006. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  48. ^ Goellner, Caleb (September 22, 2011). "Minimate Galactus And His Heralds Headed To Toys 'R' Us In December". ComicsAlliance. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  49. ^ Nafpliotis, Nick (August 3, 2021). "HasLab Galactus: Frankie Raye Nova revealed as first stretch goal". AIPT Comics. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
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